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Since I've been following Weight Watchers 2009 Momentum Plan for a month now — and since I'm actually taking the time to (re)read all the books that come with it, I figured it couldn't hurt to "review" each week's materials. Because I am a firm believer that the program only works if you go to the meetings (after all, if you could lose the weight at home, you would have already lost it, wouldn't you?), and because I don't want to give away any secrets to non-members, I'll just go over it on a light sense. Although the intent isn't necessarily to drive you to a Weight Watchers meeting if you're not already going, I truly do believe in the program and think it will do virtually anybody who tries it a world of good. (If you'd like to read all my postings related to the Momentum in one click, follow this link. If you'd like to read about Weight Watchers new materials, follow this link.)
Book 2:
Activity Basics — START MOVING MORE
One of the changes that took place when Weight Watchers switched to the Momentum Plan is that they modified the Good Health Guidelines to now include "at least 30 minutes of activity a day on most days of the week." Weight Watchers has almost always (at least as far back as the eighties) included a push on activity, right down to the four-way approach they have at the beginning of their materials and on their flip charts we use to teach the members; but this is the first time they've included it in their Good Health Guidelines.
What does that mean?
I didn't get to post yesterday because it was one of the those "crazy busy days" that periodically slap you upside the head. Deadlines and such kept me moving from before dawn to very late at night. However, I completed my first week on the new Weight Watchers Momentum plan, which I have been diligently following. As part of such diligence, I decided I would not step on a scale all week also. I tend to do that to give me an excuse to:
A) Be disappointed with my results and figure, "oh what the hell, I might as well eat"
– or –
B) Be excited with my results and figure, "Wow! I didn't think it would be going so well, I can eat more."
Either way, I end up the same: chubby. Gotta stop it. So I did. I figured I'd just wait it out and let the program do its job.
So it's with no small amount of consternation that I climb on the scale Tuesday at my meeting (which I might point out is AFTER lunch — yikes!). At first, I just kind of "tested the waters:" wearing my sweater, shoes, belt, etc. That looked OK. Then, I removed the "extra weight list"
- Sweater
- Shoes
- Belt
- Wallet
- Money clip
- Pen
- Spare change
I was alone in the room but I resisted the urge to strip down to my skivvies. There's a fine line between compulsive and obsessive and I tread it. Must be very careful, you know?
So, lo and behold, I was expecting three pounds, thought I might get four, really wanted five — and I got
I've been following the Momentum plan for a week now with my first weigh in in about one hour. (I think I might have lost 3-4 pounds, which for me is amazing!) Of course, in addition to following the program, I've conducted two (rather wobbly) "getting started sessions" for my members. Should you not be totally "up" on WW lingo, a "Getting Started Session"is the 30 minute session we do at the conclusion of the regular meeting. It's for new members. This week, which Weight Watchers calls "Conversion Week," we basically turn the entire meeting into a GSS.
I am what is called a "Diamond Leader." As near as I understand that, it means I'm in the top 20% of leaders in my area. I admit to being a little confused as to how that is determined but I'm still flattered and I've been a Diamond Leader for both years that it has been offered. I mention this not to brag — well, OK, maybe a little — but more so to point out that I am very comfortable with leading WW meetings. In my 20 years working for WW, I've probably conducted thousands of GSSs. Yet, for some reason, I'm awkward in doing this one. That said, last night I started getting my footing and I think that's because I finally decided that the changes from the Flex/Core plan to the Momentum Plan are more psychological than physical.
Don't get me wrong; that's not to say they are not substantial. Quite the contrary, you can change your actions all day and all night but if you don't change your thoughts, you'll still find yourself returning to old habits. Weight Watchers has always focused on habit change; that is not new. However, there seems to be more of an embrace this time.
Huh?
Yeah, right. OK, let me explain it a little better. The plan still uses points, which it has for the last decade or so. The daily points target, that amount you get each day, has not changed for any of my members. It's the same as it was in 2008. I have not noticed any major changes in points values of any foods. In my opinion, what has changed however, is the emphasis put on "filling foods," hunger levels, activity, and liquids.
Filling Foods
Alrighty then, I just finished watching the official DVD for the new Weight Watchers Momentum plan, which went live today. It's a video for leaders of how to do the "Getting Started Session" (which is how we explain the program to new members). I had seen it before at Innovations, but I wanted to make sure it all made sense. So, diligently, with my 2009 Weight Watchers leaders materials and my "read along" book, I watcher the trainer and leader on video show a roomful of new Weight Watchers members how to get started.My first meeting is Monday at noon so I needed to be ready. (She has some idiosyncrasies in her speaking that drive me crazy but aside from that, it was a good thing to watch.)
The biggest difference between the old and new Weight Watchers Plans?
So, three days down & still going well (but I have not weighed myself since Tuesday and it's driving me crazy!) This new program really makes you look at how you physically feel when you eat, which is great because if we — I — ate based on that, there wouldn't be a weight probrlem.
In the new 2009 Weight Watchers program, one looks for "filling foods," those healthy, nutritious types that not only fill you up, but don't do it with empty calories. (These are best compared to "core foods.") When one fills in the on-line eTools tracker, it will tell you which foods are filling (and I think you can even choose foods based on that criteria). I'm surprised at how many I'm choosing; good for me.
One other new addition to the program is the way it asks you to monitor your hunger level. I am surprised by how full I usually am and how quickly hunger can sneak up on me. I have not yet discovered a pattern by time of day, but I am suddenly aware that I need to eat something.
More to follow. New program is released officially on Sunday.
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